Specsavers has been thanked for requesting the removal of an ad banner from coursing venue, Limerick Racecourse. The move follows an ICABS appeal in which we highlighted appalling cruelty to hares during a coursing meet there last month.

Specsavers' Crescent Shopping Centre branch in Dooradoyle was contacted after the banner was spotted on display during the so-called Irish Cup coursing weekend last month.

A spokesperson told ICABS in a letter that they neither "promote nor condone any activity that involves cruelty to animals" and that they are "deeply shocked - and deeply upset - that Specsavers is even remotely associated with the event in question".

They further stated that they asked the racecourse management why their hoarding was used without their permission at the coursing meet, given that the last event they had sponsored at the racecourse was a Ladies Day in 2008.

The advertising banner has now been taken down, at Specsavers' request. ICABS very much welcomes this positive response.

Greyhounds pursue a hare during a coursing meet at Limerick Racecourse. Specsavers has requested the removal of an ad banner from the venue.

Videos: Cruelty to hares at Limerick Racecourse

ACTION ALERTS

Appeal to the Minister for Agriculture

Please appeal to the Minister for Agriculture to remove an exemption for coursing from the new Animal Welfare Bill and to permanently ban hare coursing.

Contact all your local TDs now. Tell them you are one of the majority who want coursing banned. Remind them that coursing is already illegal in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Urge them to respect the wishes of the majority of the electorate and back the anti-coursing bill being introduced by Maureen O'Sullivan, TD and Clare Daly, TD.